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American Journal of Physiology. Cell... Jul 2020In vitro cell cultures are crucial research tools for modeling human development and diseases. Although the conventional monolayer cell cultures have been widely used in... (Review)
Review
In vitro cell cultures are crucial research tools for modeling human development and diseases. Although the conventional monolayer cell cultures have been widely used in the past, the lack of tissue architecture and complexity of such model fails to inform the true biological processes in vivo. Recent advances in the organoid technology have revolutionized the in vitro culture tools for biomedical research by creating powerful three-dimensional (3D) models to recapitulate the cellular heterogeneity, structure, and functions of the primary tissues. Such organoid technology enables researchers to recreate human organs and diseases in a dish and thus holds great promises for many translational applications such as regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and precision medicine. In this review, we provide an overview of the organoid history and development. We discuss the strengths and limitations of organoids as well as their potential applications in the laboratory and the clinic.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Cell Culture Techniques; Humans; Models, Biological; Organ Culture Techniques; Organoids
PubMed: 32459504
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00120.2020 -
Methods (San Diego, Calif.) Mar 2021The definition of epigenetics refers that molecular modifications on DNA that can regulate gene activity are independent of DNA sequence and mitotically stable. Notably,... (Review)
Review
The definition of epigenetics refers that molecular modifications on DNA that can regulate gene activity are independent of DNA sequence and mitotically stable. Notably, epigenetics studies have grown exponentially in the past few years. Recent progresses that lead to exciting discoveries and groundbreaking nature of this area demand thorough methodologies and advanced technologies to move epigenetics to the forefront of molecular biology. The most recognized epigenetic regulations are DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This review will discuss the modern techniques that are available to detect locus-specific and genome-wide changes for all epigenetic codes. Furthermore, updated analysis of technologies, newly developed methods, recent breakthroughs and bioinformatics pipelines in epigenetic analysis will be presented. These methods, as well as many others presented in this specific issue, provide comprehensive guidelines in the area of epigenetics that facilitate further developments in this promising and rapidly developing field.
Topics: Biomedical Research; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Epigenomics; Histone Code; Humans; RNA, Untranslated
PubMed: 32645449
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2020.06.022 -
Psychiatry Research Jan 2020Centuries of experience make it clear that establishing the effectiveness of a clinical innovation is not sufficient to guarantee its uptake into routine use. The... (Review)
Review
Centuries of experience make it clear that establishing the effectiveness of a clinical innovation is not sufficient to guarantee its uptake into routine use. The relatively new field of implementation science has developed to enhance the uptake of evidence-based practices and thereby increase their public health impact. Implementation science shares many characteristics, and the rigorous approach, of clinical research. However, it is distinct in that it attends to factors in addition to the effectiveness of the clinical innovation itself, to include identifying and addressing barriers and facilitators to the uptake of evidence-based clinical innovations. This article reviews the definition, history, and scope of implementation science, and places the field within the broader enterprise of biomedical research. It also provides an overview of this Special Issue of Psychiatry Research, which introduces the principles and methods of implementation science to mental health researchers.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Evidence-Based Practice; Humans; Implementation Science; Inventions
PubMed: 31036287
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.04.025 -
Nature Reviews. Microbiology Jul 2019Increasing concerns about the rising rates of antibiotic therapy failure and advances in single-cell analyses have inspired a surge of research into antibiotic... (Review)
Review
Increasing concerns about the rising rates of antibiotic therapy failure and advances in single-cell analyses have inspired a surge of research into antibiotic persistence. Bacterial persister cells represent a subpopulation of cells that can survive intensive antibiotic treatment without being resistant. Several approaches have emerged to define and measure persistence, and it is now time to agree on the basic definition of persistence and its relation to the other mechanisms by which bacteria survive exposure to bactericidal antibiotic treatments, such as antibiotic resistance, heteroresistance or tolerance. In this Consensus Statement, we provide definitions of persistence phenomena, distinguish between triggered and spontaneous persistence and provide a guide to measuring persistence. Antibiotic persistence is not only an interesting example of non-genetic single-cell heterogeneity, it may also have a role in the failure of antibiotic treatments. Therefore, it is our hope that the guidelines outlined in this article will pave the way for better characterization of antibiotic persistence and for understanding its relevance to clinical outcomes.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Biomedical Research; Drug Tolerance; Guidelines as Topic; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 30980069
DOI: 10.1038/s41579-019-0196-3 -
International Journal of Biological... 2021Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and the most lethal cancer in females both in China and worldwide. Currently, the origin of cancer stem cells, the... (Review)
Review
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed and the most lethal cancer in females both in China and worldwide. Currently, the origin of cancer stem cells, the heterogeneity of cancer cells, the mechanism of cancer metastasis and drug resistance are the most important issues that need to be addressed. Chinese investigators have recently made new discoveries in basic breast cancer researches, especially regarding cancer stem cells, cancer metabolism, and microenvironments. These efforts have led to a deeper understanding of drug resistance and metastasis and have also indicated new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These findings emphasized the importance of the cancer stem cells for targeted therapy. In this review, we summarized the latest important findings in this field in China.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Breast Neoplasms; China; Female; Humans; Medical Oncology; Translational Science, Biomedical
PubMed: 34131406
DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.60631 -
Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology &... Dec 2021Progress has been made in understanding coeliac disease, a relatively frequent and underappreciated immune-mediated condition that occurs in genetically predisposed...
Progress has been made in understanding coeliac disease, a relatively frequent and underappreciated immune-mediated condition that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. However, several gaps remain in knowledge related to diagnosis and management. The gluten-free diet, currently the only available management, is not curative or universally effective (some adherent patients have ongoing duodenal injury). Unprecedented numbers of emerging therapies, including some with novel tolerogenic mechanisms, are currently being investigated in clinical trials. In March 2020, the Celiac Disease Foundation and the Society for the Study of Celiac Disease convened a consensus workshop to identify high-yield areas of research that should be prioritized. Workshop participants included leading experts in clinical practice, academia, government and pharmaceutical development, as well as representatives from patient support groups in North America. This Roadmap summarizes key advances in the field of coeliac disease and provides information on important discussions from the consensus approach to address gaps and opportunities related to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of coeliac disease. The morbidity of coeliac disease is often underestimated, which has led to an unmet need to improve the management of these patients. Expanded research funding is needed as coeliac disease is a potentially curable disease.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Celiac Disease; Diet, Gluten-Free; Humans; Mice; Research Support as Topic; Societies, Medical; United States
PubMed: 34526700
DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00511-8 -
Addiction Biology Nov 2021The use of laboratory animals in biomedical research is a matter of intense public debate. Recent statistics indicates that about half of the western population,... (Review)
Review
The use of laboratory animals in biomedical research is a matter of intense public debate. Recent statistics indicates that about half of the western population, sensitive to this discussion, would be in favor of animal testing while the other half would oppose it. Here, outlining scientific, historical, ethical, and philosophical aspects, we provide an integrated view explaining the reasons why biomedical research can hardly abandon laboratory animal testing. In this paper, we retrace the historical moments that mark the relationship between humans and other animal species. Then starting from Darwin's position on animal experimentation, we outline the steps that over time allowed the introduction of laws and rules that regulate animals' use in biomedical research. In our analysis, we present the perspectives of various authors, with the aim of delineating a theoretical framework within which to insert the ethical debate on laboratory animals research. Through the analysis of fundamental philosophical concepts and some practical examples, we propose a view according to which laboratory animals experimentation become ethically acceptable as far as it is guided by the goal of improving humans and other animal species (i.e., pets) life. Among the elements analyzed, there is the concept of responsibility that only active moral subjects (humans) have towards themselves and towards passive moral subjects (other animal species). We delineate the principle of cruelty that is useful to understand why research in laboratory animals should not be assimilated to a cruel act. Moreover, we touch upon the concepts of necessity and "good cause" to underline that, if biomedical research would have the possibility to avoid using animals, it would surely do that. To provide an example of the negative consequences occurring from not allowing laboratory animal research, we analyze the recent experience of Covid-19 epidemic. Finally, recalling the principle of "heuristics and biases" by Kahneman, we discuss why scientists should reconsider the way they are conveying information about their research to the general public.
Topics: Animal Experimentation; Animal Rights; Animal Use Alternatives; Attitude; Biomedical Research; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, 21st Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Public Opinion
PubMed: 33331099
DOI: 10.1111/adb.12991 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jan 2022Myopia has become one of the most critical health problems in the world with the increasing time spent indoors and increasing close work. Pathological myopia may have... (Review)
Review
Myopia has become one of the most critical health problems in the world with the increasing time spent indoors and increasing close work. Pathological myopia may have multiple complications, such as myopic macular degeneration, retinal detachment, cataracts, open-angle glaucoma, and severe cases that can cause blindness. Mounting evidence suggests that the cause of myopia can be attributed to the complex interaction of environmental exposure and genetic susceptibility. An increasing number of researchers have focused on the genetic pathogenesis of myopia in recent years. Scleral remodeling and excessive axial elongating induced retina thinning and even retinal detachment are myopia's most important pathological manifestations. The related signaling pathways are indispensable in myopia occurrence and development, such as dopamine, nitric oxide, TGF-β, HIF-1α, etc. We review the current major and recent progress of biomedicine on myopia-related signaling pathways and mechanisms.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Humans; Myopia; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 34861634
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112472 -
European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy :... Nov 2020
Topics: Biomedical Research; Humans; Pharmacists; Pharmacy Service, Hospital
PubMed: 32788402
DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002423 -
Virchows Archiv : An International... Aug 2021The term "biobanking" is often misapplied to any collection of human biological materials (biospecimens) regardless of requirements related to ethical and legal issues... (Review)
Review
The term "biobanking" is often misapplied to any collection of human biological materials (biospecimens) regardless of requirements related to ethical and legal issues or the standardization of different processes involved in tissue collection. A proper definition of biobanks is large collections of biospecimens linked to relevant personal and health information (health records, family history, lifestyle, genetic information) that are held predominantly for use in health and medical research. In addition, the International Organization for Standardization, in illustrating the requirements for biobanking (ISO 20387:2018), stresses the concept of biobanks being legal entities driving the process of acquisition and storage together with some or all of the activities related to collection, preparation, preservation, testing, analysing and distributing defined biological material as well as related information and data. In this review article, we aim to discuss the basic principles of biobanking, spanning from definitions to classification systems, standardization processes and documents, sustainability and ethical and legal requirements. We also deal with emerging specimens that are currently being generated and shaping the so-called next-generation biobanking, and we provide pragmatic examples of cancer-associated biobanking by discussing the process behind the construction of a biobank and the infrastructures supporting the implementation of biobanking in scientific research.
Topics: Accreditation; Biological Specimen Banks; Biomedical Research; Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Policy Making; Precision Medicine; Specimen Handling; Stakeholder Participation; Terminology as Topic
PubMed: 34255145
DOI: 10.1007/s00428-021-03151-0